Amusement Tax

Due date

15th

of each month, for the prior month's activity

Tax rate

5%

of the admission charge

Who pays the tax

This tax is imposed on the admission fee charged for attending any amusement in Philadelphia. Amusements include any concerts, movies, athletic contests, night clubs, and convention shows for which admission is charged.

You are responsible for collecting and remitting the Amusement Tax if you:

Operate or provide any amusement in Philadelphia.

Promote any show located in Philadelphia.

Regardless of whether your Amusement Permit is regular or temporary, you are responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.

Important dates

Holders of permanent Amusement Permits must file and pay the Amusement Tax by the 15th day of each month, for the prior month’s activity. The Department of Revenue issues a Monthly Amusement Tax Coupon Book to simplify tax payment. Coupons are also available online, but must be printed and sent in by mail.

If your Amusement Permit is temporary, you must both file and pay the tax within ﬁve days after the event is held.

Tax rates, penalties, & fees

How much is it?

Amusement Tax is imposed at the rate of 5% of the admission charge for the amusement venue or event.

What happens if you don't pay on time?

If you don’t pay the Amusement Tax on time, interest and penalties will be added to the tax you owe. If you collect Amusement Tax but don’t pay it to the Department of Revenue, the amount you collected will be subject to additional fines of $300 for each month of non-payment, as well as interest and penalties.

Educational institutions. To fit this category, an organization must offer instruction to students in a particular field. Clubs or societies organized within a school for social or athletic purposes are not exempt.

Charitable organizations. Two criteria apply: (1) The organization’s typical services must be offered free of charge, or so nearly free of charge as to make the charges nominal; and (2) Those who benefit from or receive the organization’s services must be legitimately in need of charity.

Cruelty prevention groups. Applies to societies for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Performing arts organizations. This category applies specifically to societies or organizations with the sole purpose of conducting symphony orchestras, opera performances, and artistic presentations. These organizations must receive substantial support from voluntary contributions beyond any income collected from entertainment events.

City improvement groups. A society or organization in this category must show that its purpose is to improve a specific city, town, village, or borough in some way.

Community centers. Applies to cooperative or community centers, movie theaters, and swimming pools. The society or organization must show that the center, moving picture, or swimming pool is open to all residents of the particular community in which the facility is located.

U.S. military groups. This includes National Guard organizations, reserve officers’ associations, and war veterans’ posts or auxiliary units organized in Pennsylvania.

Police and fire department benefit groups. These societies and organizations benefit the family members, dependents, or heirs of those who serve as members of police or fire departments. The police or fire department must be recognized as legitimate by the people it serves in Pennsylvania.